Netherlands: The Helpoort ("Hell's Gate"), Maastricht
by Steve Vogel
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Panoramic photo by
Steve Vogel
Taken 12:07, 17/12/2011
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Netherlands: The Helpoort ("Hell's Gate"), MaastrichtThe World > Europe > Netherlands |
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Helpoort, or Hell's Gate, is the oldest city gate in the country. It got its name due to the fact that prisoners were kept in its tower. Construction of the gate, commissioned by Henry I, began in 1229; it is a part of the First City Walls and served as the southeastern entrance to the city. When the Second City Walls were constructed in the 15th century, the gate was no longer needed as an entrance to the city. Over the years, it served as a residence, storage space and workshop. Today the gate houses a museum dedicated to the history of Maastricht's fortifications.
http://www.gpsmycity.com/tours/maastricht-landmarks-tour-5331.html
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Europe is generally agreed to be the birthplace of western culture, including such legendary innovations as the democratic nation-state, football and tomato sauce.
The word Europe comes from the Greek goddess Europa, who was kidnapped by Zeus and plunked down on the island of Crete. Europa gradually changed from referring to mainland Greece until it extended finally to include Norway and Russia.
Don't be confused that Europe is called a continent without looking like an island, the way the other continents do. It's okay. The Ural mountains have steadily been there to divide Europe from Asia for the last 250 million years. Russia technically inhabits "Eurasia".
Europe is presently uniting into one political and economic zone with a common currency called the Euro. The European Union originated in 1993 and is now composed of 27 member states. Its headquarters is in Brussels, Belgium.
Do not confuse the EU with the Council of Europe, which has 47 member states and dates to 1949. These two bodies share the same flag, national anthem, and mission of integrating Europe. The headquarters of the Council are located in Strasbourg, France, and it is most famous for its European Court of Human Rights.
In spite of these two bodies, there is still no single Constitution or set of laws applying to all the countries of Europe. Debate rages over the role of the EU in regards to national sovereignty. As of January 2009, the Lisbon Treaty is the closest thing to a European Constitution, yet it has not been approved by all the EU states.
Text by Steve Smith.
